What Would Roger Do? Esquire’s ‘Exclusive and unbiased investigation into the highly paid operative of a foreign-born tycoon’

Somewhere in the 8,500 word profile of Fox News Chairman and co-founder Roger Ailes in the February Esquire, you start to feel sympathy for the 70-year media mogul.

It’s right around word 8,300.

But most of the rest of the “exclusive and unbiased investigation into the highly paid operative of a foreign-born tycoon, a man who reengineered political and media culture and fomented a revolt that threatens the very stability of our country,” is a story of a man who fought all his life — and continues to fight still — to win. Of course, no one fights to lose. But we learn why Roger Ailes fights.

As a boy, he returned home one day, bloodied by bullies. His father, with tears in his eyes told him: “Remember, son, for them it’s a fight, for you it’s life and death.” It’s here we learn Ailes is a hemophiliac, which has led to the arthritis he lives with today.

The profile is out today. And there’s just too much to give it one, or even two fitting blockquotes in this blog, but we will in the coming days. (Esquire will also add updates from the profile on its Politics blog.)

For now, head over to Esquire.com. You’ll read some things you already know, you’ll learn some things you didn’t, but most of all, thanks to the more than 30-plus interviews conducted by Esquire correspondent Tom Junod, you’ll come away with a better sense of who Roger Ailes is, the controversy he engenders, the winning network he programs, and how his blue-collar bloodline (type O+) led him to a high-security mansion in Putnam County, NY — fighting all the way.

Subscribe to Adweek

Featured Courses

Storytelling for Media ProfessionalsUse smart storytelling to build your brandLearn more >Digital Media Planning and BuyingBuild the foundation for successful media planning in a constantly evolving marketLearn more >Develop a Freelance Writing CareerBuild a thriving career as a freelancerLearn more >Digital Editorial ProductionMaster content management systems and the user experienceLearn more >See more Courses >